Shuttlers stay unbeaten in first week of Axiata Cup
In-form Thailand made a clean sweep against unfancied Vietnam to stretch their winning streak in the US$1-million Axiata Cup mixed team badminton tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia, at the weekend.
On Sunday, the Thai squad completed their first-week preliminaries of the world’s richest team-badminton competition by maintaining their remarkable run. They got off to a flying start with a stunning 3-1 victory over the All-Stars Asia team on Thursday, then salvaged a 2-2 tie against Malaysia the following day.
The last two days of the first-week clashes saw Thailand in devastating form to thrash Singapore and Vietnam in four straight games in both matches.
On Sunday, All-Stars Asia drew 2-2 with Indonesia, Malaysia beat All-Stars Europe 3-1, Singapore outclassed underdogs the Philippines 3-1 and Thailand brushed off Vietnam 4-0.
Against Vietnam, world No 18 and 2012 Malaysia Open champion Busanan Ongbumrungpan put Thailand one up by beating Vu Thi Trang 21-17 21-12 in the women’s singles opening rubber.
World No 24 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk stretched the lead to 2-0 with a comfortable 21-15 21-14 win over Nguyen Hoang Nam in the men’s singles.
In the mixed doubles rubber, world No 6 and Indonesia Open champions Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam showed no mercy to inexperienced Duong Bao Duc and Thai Thi Hong Gan, with a crushing 21-10 21-10 win.
The men’s doubles saw Boonsak Ponsana and Songphon Anugritayawon in great form to down Bao Minh and Hyunh Nguyen Khang in straight games 21-10 21-17 to complete the clean sweep.
At the end of the first-week preliminaries, Thailand overtook leaders Indonesia to top the standings with 13 points from 13 wins against 3 losses (one point is awarded in each rubber). Indonesia collected 12 points to trail in second place overall.
Malaysia were third with 11 points. The All-Stars Asia and All-Stars Europe were tied on 8 points to finish 4th and 5th positions. Singapore claimed 6 points for sixth, with Vietnam and the Philippines finishing 7th and 8th, on 4 and 2 points respectively.
The second-week preliminaries are being held simultaneously in Surabaya and Kuala Lumpur from Friday to Sunday. Thailand will play hosts Indonesia first in Surabaya before next taking on the All-Stars Europe and the Philippines.
The preliminaries’ top four teams will advance to the April 13 semi-finals, with the final on April 14 deciding who takes the top prize of US$400,000.
Seven runners-up will take home $200,000, $150,000, $100,000, $60,000, $40,000, $30,000 and $20,000.
